Context: Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s classic – The Screwtape Letters, this fictional series features letters from a senior demon to his young protégé, exposing hell’s subtle strategies against believers. These are not meant to amuse, but to awaken.

This isn’t just satire – it’s a mirror. A sharp one. Because sometimes the enemy’s strategies sound uncomfortably familiar.

My dear Wormwood,

I shudder as I write this.

You’ve failed to grasp just how dangerous a praying human can be, especially one who prays for others. We can manage the occasional self-focused plea, the wish-list prayers for comfort, or even the panicked whispers in crisis. But intercession? Ah, that is warfare.

Do you know what happens when they begin to pray not for their own convenience, but for His kingdom to come?

When their petitions stretch beyond their petty needs and embrace eternity?

When their prayers echo the desires of the Enemy above rather than the lusts of their flesh?

They become terrifying. Like thunder in our corridors. Fire on their lips. Torches in the night.

You must do everything to distract them from intercession. Tell them prayer is passive. Tell them it changes nothing. Keep them busy. Let them scroll. Let them worry. Let them vent. Just don’t let them pray.

Especially not in the Spirit. That’s when we lose track of what’s being said when groans and utterances reach places we cannot intercept. It is unnerving.

And don’t let them pray together. Corporate intercession is a siege upon our strongholds. It unites their weak little hearts into one great cry that bends heaven and breaks us. The Enemy seems especially fond of two or more gathered in His name – how inconvenient.

They forget, those pitiful humans, that their Savior Himself lives to intercede for them (Hebrews 7:25). That even now, their prayers are joined with His. That angels are dispatched, chains are broken, and hearts are softened not by argument, not by logic, but by intercession.

You must also poison their motivation. Convince them intercession is a burden, not a joy. That it’s only for “special” believers – the ones with loud voices who can pray for long. Make them think their quiet prayers are weak. Make them ashamed of trembling voices and distracted thoughts. Let them feel unqualified. Unworthy.

And for those who already wear the title intercessor, let them quietly edge out anyone who doesn’t appear “intense” enough. Let them celebrate being the ones who pray the loudest and longest as though volume and endurance were the true measures of God’s power.

Because if they ever realize that intercession is not about their strength but His, we’re doomed.

They’ll pray with tears. With persistence. With love. And what’s worse, they’ll start to pray like He did.

Do you remember what happened when the Nazarene prayed for Peter? “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” And it didn’t.

Do you remember what happened when He prayed for those nailing Him to a tree? “Father, forgive them…” And He did.

Wormwood, if they begin to pray like that not just for their friends, but their enemies, we will be undone.

Guard the veil fiercely. Let them forget the torn curtain. Let them forget they have access. Let them forget they’re heard.

Because once they know they’re heard… they won’t stop praying.

In dread of every whisper,
Screwtape